The Special Topics section of ScienceWatch.com is designed to complement Essential Science Indicators^SM from Thomson Reuters in providing citation analyses and commentary for selected scientific research areas that have experienced notable recent advances or are of special current interest. Each topic is prefaced with a description of its relation to the main Essential Science Indicators rankings and the methodology used to assemble the data from the Essential Science Indicators database. A new topic is added monthly. The data presented for each topic include citation rankings for scientists, institutions, nations, and journals.

Research front maps are also included which are selected from the current Research Front set that are relevant to the featured special topic. Most special topics also feature interviews and essays by prominent scientists in the area. All Special Topics are archived, along with any accompanying interviews. 

Special Topic for February 2010:

Say Hello to Friendly Bacteria: Probiotics

	According to the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, probiotics are live microorganisms, similar to microflora found in the human gut, and can convey health benefits. This month, ScienceWatch.com examines the literature on probiotics over the past decade and over the past two years. View Article
Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Bifidobacterium bifidum. From the NIH - National Center for Complementary and Alternative Midicine. Photo Credit: SciMAT/Photo Researchers, Inc.

View the complete menu of all previous Special Topics, Interviews, & Features. This list represents all of the interviews, essays, or profiles that accompanied their Special Topic. Listed by date of Special Topic.